Mat vs Reformer Pilates
If you tell an acquaintance that you practice or teach Pilates, you might be asked, “Reformer or Mat?” With the rise of group Reformer studios in the last decade, the once-mysterious apparatus (a fancy word for Pilates equipment) has become more well known. Mat and Reformer are both based on the work of Joseph Pilates, who also invented the Reformer itself.…
Are You Breathing Right? Or Left!
Jokes aside, I often got thanked by clients/students after classes for cueing breathing, frequently with a comment of “I get confused when to inhale or exhale”. As Pilates teachers we are taught to cue the breath pattern that is optimal for the movement. This is based on the physiological workings of respiration. Typically we do…
Our Top Hip Tips
We love talking to you about your health and body. We love seeing you stay active, continuing to play sport & loving life, generally very active. Hip pain is one of the most common issues we see you coming to classes to help resolve. There are many causes for hip pain including tendinitis, osteo-arthritis, bursitis…
Helping Reduce Inflammation the Natural Way
What is inflammation? Inflammation is a vital part of the body’s natural immune response to a perceived threat or illness. This is a good thing and a VERY INTELLIGENT response from the body. The inflammatory process is our body’s attempt to strengthen and protect the area under attack by calling upon a stampede of immune…
Studio update and staying healthy in these uncertain times
Greetings! You may have seen or read about the latest advice this morning from the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer about coronavirus – non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people are now banned. The CMO explained in detail why the team of medical experts believes this is an appropriate measure rather than a…
Our response to helping keep healthy during the Coronavirus/COVID19 outbreak
Greetings! You’re doubtless well aware, and possibly slightly fearful, of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 virus that is wreaking havoc around the world currently. It’s so important for you to keep up your regular classes during this difficult time – good health and regular exercise are absolutely vital to protecting yourself. Managing your stress with mindful exercise is…
Why Pilates is for Men too!
OK, men, this month’s blog is for you. Maybe you’ve witnessed your partner or a mate reaping the benefits of Pilates but aren’t convinced that it can work for you too. Perhaps you’ve even researched the method online and intended to give it a go, only to close the computer and have it slip your…
How to Stay Healthy This Festive Season
The festive season is well and truly here. Spending time with friends and family, enjoying food and a drink or two… It is a lovely way to celebrate but unfortunately also a time when most of our healthy habits go out the window. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A bit of mindfulness…
How often should you do Pilates?
Of all the Pilates questions we receive, one of the most frequently asked is “How often should I practice/attend class?” You’ve also undoubtedly heard the famous quote by Joseph Pilates “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body.” Pilates…
Perimenopause – The 4 Things You Can Do for a Smoother Transition!
What is Happening in Your Body? 1. You lose progesterone. Perimenopause is known as the ‘second puberty’ due to the dramatic changes in reproductive hormones during this time. With the loss of regular cycles comes the loss of cyclic progesterone being created. Progesterone has many important functions, including assisting calm steady moods, nervous system reactions,…
THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF PILATES – INSPIRED BY SPRING
You’ve probably often heard us say that Pilates is a practice – & it’s important to remind ourselves of the Core Principles that should underpin a Pilates practice. Joseph Pilates said “Contrology (Pilates) is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” In order to get the most out of Pilates it’s always helpful to remember…
What is Real Pilates?
In the fitness industry, perhaps more than any other, it is easy to be seduced by the latest hot fad promising a shortcut to your ideal you. Predictably, these trends usually disappear once a new one materialises. With such an overwhelming array of new exercise options, how can anyone sort the fleeting from the tried-and-true?…
Ten Reasons Why Everyone Needs Pilates
WHAT IS YOUR REASON TO DO PILATES? RETURN TO LIFE & LIVE AT YOUR BEST STRENGTHEN YOUR POWERHOUSE A stronger core – a stronger you! “Traditional forms of exercise limit options for needing to strengthen the core, as most forms of exercise are high impact – unlike Pilates. The most valuable take away from Pilates…
Why I Love Pilates & Why it's Great For You Too
With a Pilates studio in every corner, moving from Singapore to Sydney as a Pilates instructor felt extremely exciting and rewarding. I was especially impressed by the popularity of Reformer classes. It seemed there was no need to explain to people what Pilates was all about (which I had to do a lot when I…
Delicious Carob Brownies for Easter
Thanks to our client and friend, acupuncturist Kim Gatenby. To learn more about Kim and her acupuncture, visit her website kimgatenby.com YUMMY & HEALTHY brownies. A perfect alternative for those who love carob or can’t have chocolate. Ingredients: 1/2 cup spelt flour or similar (e.g. gluten free flour, buckwheat flour) 6 Tbs carob powder…
Why is Pilates so Important when I am Pregnant!
Many women ask us about the benefits of Pilates during their pregnancy. Pilates is the natural choice of exercise during this time to because of its ability to target the deeper core muscles which support the pelvis and keep it stable. Pilates exercises can be performed gently and only progressed if the client is ready…
Are You Challenging Yourself Enough?
We love welcoming you into our studios two or more times a week, we love our chat before, after and sometimes during class. We love seeing your progress from nervy on the reformers to moving around it like it’s your home. We love your smile when you arrive and not just when you leave, we…
How to prepare for the September Wellness Challenge?
As the winter months are feeling like they are behind us, we start to think about the summer season with all the fun outdoor activities, sports, sunshine & the beach. 6 practical steps to prepare yourself for the weight loss challenge: Go through your wardrobe & drawers and pick out at least 3 items of…
The Day I Went to the Gym
Last Sunday I went to the local gym for a basic training class. Actually the only reason I went is because the studio was fully booked!! I haven’t been in a gym for a while but I was quickly reminded of how cold and unfriendly they are. Of course no-one knew or asked my name…
5 Minute Routine to Relieve Neck Pain – 7 Steps
Ouch, I’ve woken up with a neck ache again! I can’t turn my head from side to side and I feel exhausted and have a headache! Does this sound like you? Immediately you start to think “what did I do yesterday?” It must have been the way I slept, my pillow, my personal trainer made…
Why Healthy Shoulders Matter!!
Rotator cuff injuries are becoming increasingly common. Research has shown that as many as 34% of people of all ages have tears in the rotator cuff and that percentage increases significantly over the age of 40. However the rotator cuff is poorly understood. It is in fact a group of tendons and muscles in the…
Is Technology to Blame for your Back Pain
OMG you’re texting your way to back pain. We are all guilty of this! Humans were designed to stand upright. And yet in this modern world, too many of us spend our days with our heads slumped over for a simple reason: we’re staring at the tiny screen of a smartphone. I’ve become a texting…